Norway/Sweden support to University of Malawi, College of Medicine. Review of phase 3: Human Resources Development in the College of Medicine: Building on Success by Investing in People

The Project

College of Medicine in Malawi was established in 1991 and has been supported by Norway and Sweden since 2001. The cooperation is now in its third phase. The total Norway/Sida contribution to College of Medicine 2007–2009 is close to 40 mill. NOK, and the overall goal is to maximize opportunities on the College of Medicine to maintain the momentum of training Malawian academic staff as “trainers of trainers” to provide enough trained doctors of excellence to make a positive impact on health indicators in Malawi.

Interesting Findings

• The provision of fellowships has greatly increased the number of Malawian staff with relevant and essential skills and these are contributing to building capacity in College of Medicine in all areas e.g. clinical service, teaching and research.
• Increased intakes may impact on teaching quality, student satisfaction, staff workloads, morale and motivation. There will be a need to ensure that systems are in place to continue to monitor factors that could impact on student and staff attrition, staff motivation, student welfare, quality of classroom teaching and clinical instruction and retention and deployment of graduates in the health sector.
• There is a need to ensure that post graduate training is in line with the Ministry of Health Specialist Training Plan to avoid duplication and ensure that all skills gaps in the health sector are covered by fellowship programmes.
• College of Medicine needs to ensure that suitable clinical practicum sites, clinical instructors and supervisors are available for students. Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) is reported to be overcrowded, and lacks essential equipment and supplies. College of medicine will need to work with Ministry of Health to identify suitable new clinical sites that are appropriately staffed and equipped and are close to the College to reduce transport costs.
• There are limited systems in place for routine monitoring and evaluation. A set of improved qualitative and quantitative performance indicators are needed for monitoring inputs, processes and outputs and for the evaluation of outcomes and impact.
• College of Medicine is actively working towards sustainability and is identifying a range of options to reduce dependency on donors. These include income generation through opening up membership of the sports centre to private members; overheads and salary contributions from research grants; use of facilities for conferences and other events; design and delivery of short course; and monitoring clinical trials.